Harem Daily Life

Because He Linzhang had been injured before and there was war on the border, Tao Yanyan exempted the concubines from paying their respects in the morning for several days in a row, and only resumed it after everything was settled.

After sending Jin'an to elementary school, Tao Yanyan played with the two kids for a while. After watching Madam Dong take He Xuan and He Yue to study, she went to the front hall to meet the concubines.

"Your Majesty was injured before and has been recuperating for a while. He has gotten much better recently. You don't have to worry. The weather is getting warmer. In previous years, only beauties of the fifth rank and above could use ice. Starting this year, everyone can use it. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will deliver it to each palace on time according to the rules."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone became happy. Who doesn’t want to use ice to cool down in the hot summer?

Especially for those of lower status, this is simply a benefit bestowed upon them by the Queen.

Shu Fei looked at the happy faces of the crowd and snorted coldly: "The Queen is generous. This means a lot more expenses for nothing, right? The war is tight at the front and money is needed right now, but the Queen is pretending to be generous with the money."

Everyone frowned and looked at Shu Fei. Shu Fei had a high position and was a member of the Shu family, so naturally she could enjoy everything. But the rest of them did not have her blessing. If the Queen Mother took back her order, they would have to endure another hot summer!

Everyone looked at the Queen again, wondering how she would respond after hearing Shu Fei's words.

Tao Yanyan smiled but her eyes did not reach the bottom of her eyes. "Money is earned, not saved. Every year, due to the heat, some people get summer heat disease, and in the end, they may even lose their lives. Concubine Shu, you are used to being high and mighty, and you don't know the hard work of the people below. I will not blame you for your words."

Shu Fei was furious. It was clearly Empress Tao who wasted money, but in the end, she was the one who took away all the money.

Tao Yanyan didn't care about Shu Fei's unhappy expression and continued, "In addition to the ice for the concubines in each palace, I have also decided to arrange for the distribution of mung bean soup for four months. Everyone in the palace will have a portion. It will be distributed with lunch every day. The palace maids and palace servants will also drink a sip to get rid of the summer heat."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu frowned even more and said, "Everyone gets a share? Your Majesty, are you talking about even the palace maids who do menial jobs? How much silver would that cost?"

There are at least several thousand people in the palace. If they are distributed like this, wouldn't it cost several thousand taels of silver?

Tao Yanyan took a sip of tea and said, "About 6,000 people, plus 3,000 guards, more than 9,000 people. As for silver, it is estimated to be 5,000 taels in four months."

She glanced at Shu Fei's unhappy face and said, "Fortunately, mung beans are all produced in the imperial farm, so there is no need to spend money to buy them. So, in total, it is only about 3,500 taels for four months, or about 900 taels per month. But these 900 taels can prevent people from getting heatstroke, so it's worth it."

Concubine Shu said coldly: "Since becoming the queen, you have been spending money everywhere. Does His Majesty know that you are spending so lavishly?"

Tao Yanyan saw that Shu Fei had been staring at him all day and had to argue with him about every decision he made, which really annoyed him.

"Your Majesty is in charge of the affairs of the former court, and I am in charge of the affairs of the harem. The division of labor is clear, and I will submit the account books to Your Majesty every month, and all the money transactions are clear."

Zhou Zhaoyi couldn't stand the fact that Shu Fei always made things difficult for the Queen, so she said, "The Queen is able to manage so many royal properties in an orderly manner, so it's natural that she will be even more adept at managing the affairs of the harem. Shu Fei really doesn't need to question the Queen all the time, just listen to the Queen."

Zhou Zhaoyi's words made Shu Fei directly point the finger at her: "You, Zhou Zhaoyi, only follow the Queen's lead, you are really loyal. I wonder what benefit you get from currying favor with the Queen? Is there any concubine whose child you can take for your adoption?"

Zhou Zhaoyi was so angry that she was exhausted. She had clearly been on the side of the Queen because everything the Queen said and did made sense. But how come when Shu Fei spoke, it became like she was trying to curry favor with her for benefits?

"Madam Shufei, how can you speculate about me like this?"

Shu Fei rolled her eyes at her and said, "I am only telling the truth. You know what Zhou Zhaoyi is after."

Tao Yanyan raised her hand and said, "Okay, stop arguing. I believe that most people support and approve of the two benefits I mentioned today. That's enough. Next, I have one more thing to tell you, which is the key point."

Everyone looked at her, wanting to hear what the Queen had to say.

Tao Yanyan said sternly, "Now, I have two princes and three princesses under my name, and I am also in charge of the royal property and the affairs of the six palaces. I am really a little exhausted. Since you are all His Majesty's concubines, it is also your responsibility and wish to work together to protect our family. So I have classified the affairs of the palace and want to find two concubines to help me manage them together."

As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Ning stood up and said, "I am not talented, but I am willing to learn from the Queen."

Tao Yanyan nodded and looked at the others.

Liang Zhaoyi wanted to recommend herself, but she was a little unconfident in her abilities, so she was hesitant.

Zhou Zhaoyi was also itching to do something, but she had just been criticized by Shu Fei, and she didn't know if she would become a target again if she showed up again, so she sat there without moving.

Shu Fei glanced at Tao Yanyan. She would never be the queen's follower and report to the queen all the time.

Just when Tao Yanyan thought that Concubine Ning was the only one who bravely stood up, Concubine Xu stood up, bowed and said, "If your Majesty doesn't mind, I'm willing to give it a try."

Concubine Xu is a little plump. She has been in the palace for more than six years, but she has rarely been in the emperor's bedchamber. She was not that plump before, but perhaps she has gained some weight because she has been used to a life of luxury in recent years.

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Okay, let's do this for now. Thank you, Concubine Ning and Concubine Xu. After you two leave, don't leave. I have something to tell you."

They both bowed in response.

Concubine Ning and Concubine Xu had a very pleasant conversation with Empress Tao in Changle Palace. They also had lunch in the palace and then went back after receiving their respective errands.

Finally having some time to play with the two children, Tao Yanyan asked Mingyue and the others to take the two children to the yard to bask in the sun, as more sun exposure is good for calcium supplementation.

Yu Cheng was much more lively than Yunuo. When he arrived in the yard, he danced with his arms and legs flying around, while Yunuo lay quietly in the cradle, looking around curiously with his round eyes.

"Take off your socks, turn them over and expose your little butt to dry in the sun."

The queen had spoken, and the wet nurses dared not disobey and had to do as she said.

Soon, the two little ones were lying on the cradle with their bare butts, basking in the sun together. They were so cute.

"I have never seen babies exposed to the sun like this." The wet nurse was worried and touched the babies' legs from time to time, fearing that they would get sunburned.

Tao Yanyan sat nearby holding an umbrella and said, "It's good for children's bone growth to get some sun exposure."

Chang Tai came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother asked you to come over. She said that she has selected study companions for the eldest and second princes and asked you to go and take a look."